Everything you need to know about Mappa Mundi in Hereford

Here is everything you need to know about this fascinating medieval artefact.

The Mappa Mundi

The Hereford Mappa Mundi is the largest known surviving medieval world map, dating from around 1300 AD.

It's not a navigational tool, but a breathtaking visual encyclopedia that combines geography, theology, history, and classical mythology.

What's on the Mappa Mundi?

The inhabited part of the world as it was known then, roughly equivalent to Europe, Asia and North Africa, is mapped within a Christian framework. Jerusalem is in the centre.

The British Isles is at the bottom on the left, while east, where the sun rises, is at the top.

Visiting the Mappa Mundi

Housed at Hereford Cathedral, the Mappa Mundi is on display to visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Tickets can be ordered in advance through the cathedral's website, with adult tickets priced at £8.50 (including Gift Aid).

Mappa Mundi's history

Medieval England was known for its 'world maps', drawn on various materials.

Of these, the Hereford Mappa Mundi is the only one to survive complete, and is believed to be the world’s largest medieval map.

Creation and author

The Mappa Mundi measures 64 inches by 52 inches, tapering towards the top, and is drawn on a single sheet of vellum calf skin.

It is generally believed that the map was created in the late 1290s and written in English Gothic script by one person alone.

The creator is credited as Richard of Haldringham or Lafford, also known as Richard de Bello.

Whilst the map was drawn in Lincoln, it was almost certainly in Hereford by 1330.

It is very probable that the Hereford map was largely copied from another, older map.

A true artefact of history, the Hereford Mappa Mundi continues to captivate with its impressive detail and historical significance.